"The United States of Europe, the new nation formed by an alliance between Swedish king Gustavus Adolphus and the West Virginians hurled back in time is beset by enemies. But as a young new emperor comes to the throne in Austria, an opening has developed for making peace with one branch of the mighty Habsburg dynasty. However, this is no job for diplomats. With the Austro-Hungarian empire teetering on the brink of economic collapse, the USE sends auto mechanics and financiers to the rescue. But the mechanics are West Virginia hillbillies and the financiers are mostly teenage American girls. Ready to greet them is an emperor uncertain of his goals, common folk desperate for work, noblemen with intentions both fair and foul and priest plotting on all sides. To put it mildly, a culture clash in the making"--